AVS-SYS Ltd, the composite products company, is excited to have been awarded two NATEP (National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme) grants for development of new advanced Aerospace Ducting for Air Distribution.

The first project is the development of a range of new Ultra-Lightweight Flexible Aerospace Ducting utilising new materials and manufacturing techniques. Our target is to significantly reduce weight while also decreasing manufacturing time, enabling us to produce competitively priced products in the UK.

The second project will focus on the development of a range of Muffler Ducting for Air Distribution by testing and assessing new noise attenuation and porous lining materials and associated manufacturing techniques. Our target is to improve noise attenuation in the lower frequencies with significant reduction in weight, with the potential of being able to produce tailored noise attenuation for specific frequencies. The Muffler Ducts will take advantage of the new materials and processes for the Flexible Ducting as these will be used for the outer layer of the Muffler Ducts which we will again manufacture in the UK.

These two projects will combine with our existing lightweight range of Composite Ducting and system design and integration expertise, to enable us to supply anything from individual products to complete Air Distribution and Ventilation Systems.

Working alongside us on the projects are Arville Textiles Ltd, the technical textiles specialist, who are working on materials for both the Flexible Ducting and the porous liner for the Muffler Ducting, and Foam Techniques Ltd, the leading manufacturer of flexible foams, who are working on the noise attenuation layer for the Muffler Ducting.

The National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) is aimed at aerospace supply chain companies including SMEs to help them develop innovative technologies while enhancing their technology management capabilities, increasing their ability to win new business with higher tier companies anywhere in the world. NATEP is a £40m three-year programme funded by the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) – its objective is to deliver 100 novel technologies through collaborative projects within the UK aerospace supply chain. NATEP is managed by ADS, actively supported by the Aerospace Growth Partnership, the regional aerospace alliances and sponsored by the UK aerospace Primes and Tier one companies.